Bangladesh came back from a losing position with a brilliant death bowling performance to win the third and final One-Day International of their three-match series by five runs and claim the series 2-0.
Batting first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 274 as skipper Tamim Iqbal scored 69 and Mushfiqur Rahim scored 45.
In reply, Ireland lost opener Stephen Doheny to Mustafizur Rahman early but a 109-run partnership between skipper Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, both of whom reached fifties, saw them take control of the game.
Ebadot Hossain broke that partnership as he got Balbirnie for 53 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz got Stirling five overs later for 60.
While that seemed to have brought Bangladesh back, a fourth-wicket partnership of 79 runs between last match’s centurion Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker saw the game firmly in Ireland’s hands as they needed 50 off 50 balls.
However, Najmul Hossain Shanto came in with the Midas touch and got Tector for 45 as Liton Das took a brilliant catch at the mid-wicket boundary.
In the next over, Mustafizur sent Curtis Campher (1) packing and a couple of overs later, a fantastic catch from substitute fielder Yasir Ali Chowdhury saw George Dockrell (3) back off Mustafizur’s bowling.
Still, Ireland had Tucker in, who reached his fifty off 51 balls and needed 35 runs in the last four overs.
Mustafizur came in to bowl the 47th and got rid of the danger man Tucker with a brilliant yorker as the batter attempted a scoop, and gave away just three runs, meaning Ireland needed 32 runs off the last three.
Hasan Mahmud gave away just eight in the next but debutant Mrittunjoy Chowdhury spilt 14 to Mark Adair in the next, meaning Hasan had 10 to defend in the last over.
And in the very first ball, Hasan bowled Adair, crushing Ireland’s only hopes.
Hasan found another wicket a ball later and gave away just four runs in that over, sealing a five-run win.
